When I was living in NC I got into baseball quite a bit and was surprised how exciting that game can actually be. But now I just don't have the time to watch any games.

One thing about German soccer (or Fussball) that you have to keep in mind is that it is by far the most popular spectator sport. Here in the US you have baseball, football, basket ball and hockey which have about the same popularity and their seasons don't overlap much to support that. There are other sports in Germany as well but they are much less popular.

The other difference in Germany is that teams are not franchises of the mother organization. They are independent and they can rise and fall through the different levels of soccer leagues.

I knew Kai would chime in. American football is much more cerebral than soccer, even with the lame commercials. It is more like chess. I know people say soccer has an element of strategy as well. But, from watching it, I can't really tell what it is. But I will give my understanding.

Soccer is mostly about passing the ball. The excitement does not really come from scoring, but from getting close to scoring (otherwise who would watch a 1 - 1 tie?). So, when a score finally does come people have at least one ... maybe two times during the game to really cheer. So the game is mostly based on suspense of getting close to scoring.

FTR: Baseball is boring as hell too. And I can't stand hockey either. Basically the same thing as soccer, but on ice, with sticks. Boxing and American Football are really the only two spectator sports I can tolerate to watch.

+1 of football being cerebral though the violence of the game doesnt hurt its popularity.To me the soccer field is just too big and there are too many players.

It's funny that I live about 10 miles from The Monster Mile in Dover, DE and I have never been there for a race. As far as Nascar goes I could take it or leave it...and I feel the same way about soccer. I played soccer all through my youth and high school. Soccer is very fun to play but boring to watch IMHO.

The rest of the world is totally into the sport as we are into baseball and football. There's really not a big interest into soccer as the there is in ROW.

It's just really never caught on here in the states as it has been a staple around the world.

We're planning a trip to the Dover/DC area next year.I'll have to look you up. That track is one of the best in NASCAR

It's funny that I live about 10 miles from The Monster Mile in Dover, DE and I have never been there for a race. As far as Nascar goes I could take it or leave it...and I feel the same way about soccer. I played soccer all through my youth and high school. Soccer is very fun to play but boring to watch IMHO.

The rest of the world is totally into the sport as we are into baseball and football. There's really not a big interest into soccer as the there is in ROW.

It's just really never caught on here in the states as it has been a staple around the world.

We're planning a trip to the Dover/DC area next year.I'll have to look you up. That track is one of the best in NASCAR

I wish they had cricket on TV these days, that's a sport I could knock back pints to. Of course the only folks who have even the remotest inkling of what cricket is in this town are a few weird anglophiles like me and the computer science department of my alma mater, most of whom hail from South Asia and have been known to get the bats and wickets out on the university grounds at times.

I wish they had cricket on TV these days, that's a sport I could knock back pints to. Of course the only folks who have even the remotest inkling of what cricket is in this town are a few weird anglophiles like me and the computer science department of my alma mater, most of whom hail from South Asia and have been known to get the bats and wickets out on the university grounds at times.

It looks like a fun game, but I haven't the faintest idea on the rules.

this is unreal, as i was reading this thread i recalled a time i was at one of my local watering holes that happens to be an irish pub, my friends and i were absolutely captivated by a hurling match. we had never seen anything like it and were amazed to watch a bunch of toothless dudes run around with no helmets or pads swinging around wooden death weapons. it was fast, intense, and even though i had no idea what the rules were it was just amazing. the enthusiasm throughout the game by the fans was also fun to watch.

i love the world cup...it's a shame soccer is not followed more in the states. someone posted their disagreement about how the various leagues in america deem their champions 'world champions'. i have to say, in baseball, basketball, and football the US has arguably the best talent brought in from all over the world, so to say world champions is not really a far fetched claim. however, the MLS could never claim a world champion for their league...just a thought i guess.

I definitely dig the World Cup. I enjoyed some Tripel Karmeliet during the USA vs. England match. I might have to bring out the New Glarus Raspberry Tart for the Slovakia match. It's the only American beer I have (I have an American pale ale I just bottled that I'll probably crack on July 4).

I'm participating in a pool at work. I drew Cameroon, so I'm cheering for them as much as the US. I think the US has a better chance.

I'm also a fan of the MLS, though I follow it much less now that I'm not in the USA. Go Rapids!

I agree, pretty shocking considering their last performance. You need to look at it this way though, I think they were lucky with a 1-0 loss. Serbia easily could have, and should have, put 2 more on them. If I am a fan of Germany I would be very, very worried about the final game against Ghana and the prospect of advancing to the knock out round.